Did you check out our opponents' new TV ad yesterday? If you did, I'm sure you are as angry as I am about their cynical and fear-mongering claims regarding Maine schools. They don't want to talk about treating loving, committed same-sex couples equally through marriage, so they distort, change the subject and incite fear.

But here's where you come in. We're coming up short on our budget to keep it on the air next week.

Right now, we're just $8,243 short of our goal for next week's ad buy—but we need the money in the next 24 hours or our ad will stop airing on some key stations. Can you help us buy next week's air time?

Seattle TimesSeptember 14, 2009The Seattle Times editorial board "strongly recommends Referendum 71" and says "the law at the heart of R-71 is about fundamental fairness for Washington families. Of course it should be approved." [Link]

No on 1/Protect Maine EqualitySeptember 11, 2009The campaign defending marriage equality in Maine just released the following statement:

Catholics for Marriage Equality Issues Statement in Response to Diocesan Fundraising for Campaign to Repeal Maine’s Marriage Equality Law

Portland, Maine (Friday, September 11, 2009)---Catholics for Marriage Equality (C4ME), an organization urging Catholics and all Mainers to vote no on Question 1 on the November 3rd ballot, today issued the following statement in response to the Diocese of Portland’s fundraising for the campaign to repeal Maine’s marriage equality law:

“Catholics for Marriage Equality calls on its members and all Catholics who share our support for marriage equality to take two peaceful but effective actions in our parishes this Sunday so that the diocese will know it is not speaking for all faithful Catholics.

“First, instead of money, we urge parishioners who support marriage equality to place a note in the special collection envelope stating that they do not support the bishop's stance to deprive same-sex couples of the right to civil marriage and will instead donate funds to NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality (http://www.protectmaineequality.org), which opposes Question 1, or to a charity that is inclusive of all families.

“Second, we ask supportive Catholics to sign our petition affirming that the Church can define marriage as it wishes for its members but that marriage as a civil right is the prerogative of the state to define. Our petition is available at: http://religiouscoalition.org/

“C4ME exists to give hope to those who are hurt and angry because of our bishop’s determination to overturn the legislature’s passage of marriage equality. We will disseminate information that is truthful and respectful stating why marriage equality is a matter of civil rights and social justice that Catholics are free to support—indeed, may feel compelled to support as a matter of social conscience and responsible citizenship.”

Portland Press HeraldSeptember 11, 2009Marc Mutty, chairman of anti-marriage equality Stand for Marriage Maine, sent out a mass email last week saying that the marriage law passed by the Legislature in May will make "gay sex education" mandatory in classrooms statewide. Jesse Connolly, campaign manager of No on 1/Protect Maine Equality, predicted that Maine voters will "see through these cynical campaign tactics" by Mutty & Co. "This is an attempt to divert attention and raise unfounded issues," said Connolly. "Question 1 has nothing to do with schools and no one is voting on curriculum in November." [Link]

The Associated PressSeptember 9, 2009A federal judge on Thursday ordered the state of Washington to keep shielding the identities of people who signed petitions to force a vote on expanded benefits for domestic partners. [Link]

The Associated PressSeptember 9, 2009Washington Families Standing Together announced Wednesday that it will not appeal to the Washington Supreme Court to block placement of Referendum 71 on the November ballot. WFST Chairwoman Anne Levinson said the group has to prepare for the election “without the distraction of an ongoing legal debate.” [Link]

The Associated PressSeptember 8, 2009A Wash. state judge on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit filed by pro-LGBT Washington Families Standing Together to block Referendum 71 from the Nov. ballot. The lawsuit claimed Secretary of State Sam Reed improperly accepted thousands of petition signatures. An appeal is considered likely. [Link]

The Associated PressSeptember 4, 2009Signed Referendum 71 petitions in Washington state, public records under state law, remain at the center of a case being heard by a federal judge who is weighing a request by anti-gay activists to bar public release of the names on the petitions. The referendum would put the expansion of domestic partnership rights on November's general election ballot.[Link]

The Associated PressSeptember 3, 2009Maine election officials announced Wednesday that opponents of the state’s marriage equality law had gathered enough voters’ signatures to put the issue to a vote in November. [Link]

Protect Maine EqualitySeptember 3, 2009The No on 1 Campaign in Maine is running two new TV spots across the state starting Thursday, September 3rd.

Spot 1 - Tells the story of Sam Putnam of Portland , who plays football and baseball, and is the pride and joy of his mother, Jennifer and her partner, Michelle. For Sam, it's pretty basic -- this is his family and he wants them to be valued and treated equally in Maine. [Link]

Spot 2 - Introduces Bill Witten of Yarmouth , a former college football player and U.S. Marine. Bill has two daughters -- one gay and one straight. For Bill, it's simple -- he wants both his girls treated fairly and equally, and that includes marrying the person they love most in the world. [Link]